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Luton St Patrick’s Festival 2010

Irish eyes will be smiling in unison with the mass of local residents who for one day a year become honorary Irishmen and Irishwomen in celebration of St Patrick’s Day. In Luton the town centre usually fills with many indulging in what seems to be a mandatory mix of green hats, pints of Guinness, bacon and cabbage and what the Irish simply put down to enjoying the craic. Pubs throughout the town will decorate their venues with shamrocks, bunting and all things green to ensure that St Patrick’s Day does not go unnoticed by anyone.

Here in Luton we are somewhat privileged to have an organisation that not only represents and looks after the welfare of the local Irish community but also organises an annual celebration for us all to enjoy. This year the Luton Irish Forum will be showcasing the richness of Irish culture as part of their 11th annual St Patrick’s Festival, spanning eight days of music, song, dance, drama and entertainment.

Now a well-established event in the local entertainment calendar, the St Patrick’s Day Festival is known by many for the spectacular parade that forms the centrepiece to the event but the celebrations begin long before. This year’s festivities will start on Friday 12 March with a launch mass at St Joseph’s Church with the Gaelic (Irish) Mass sung by Luton Irish Forum’s very own choir at 7.30pm. Following this in the Parish Centre is their launch night dance with Northampton-based trio Hair of the Dog, who are sure to have everyone dancing the night away.

On the evening of Saturday 13 March the festival moves into Luton Library Theatre where The Balla Drama Group from County Mayo, Ireland, will perform the highly acclaimed ‘A Wake in the West’, a comedy drama by Michael Joe Ginnelly. This evening of laughter which is sponsored by Bushwood, tells the story of Tom Healy, who not content with drinking himself to death makes a last request to be buried in the drink (at sea). Watch and laugh as Tom’s request wreaks havoc in his house and in his community.

Sunday 14 March will mark the 11th St Patrick’s Day Parade that will see members of the Irish community, marching bands and a whole host of other colourful entries lining the streets of Luton town centre. The parade will make its way from Manor Road at 11am along Park Street, up George Street and into St George’s Square where shamrock will be presented to dignitaries. There will be an afternoon of free entertainment on the main stage from 12.30pm featuring a top-class eight-piece band from Ireland, La Bamba. Also on the Sunday there will be a craft and Irish produce market from 10am to 4pm in St George’s Square and traditional music and dance on stage in Smiths Square within The Mall shopping centre from 11.30am to 3.30pm

Tuesday evening will see the festival back in the Library Theatre for a extravagant variety concert featuring The Duffy Brothers, Irish Dancers and local traditional musicians. There will be a further opportunity to experience Irish culture and celebrate St Patrick’s Day itself on Wednesday 17 when the traditional stage returns to Smiths Square in the Arndale Mall with a fabulous display of music and dance from 11am to 3pm.

This year’s festival wraps up with a unique treat on Friday 18 March. Luton Irish Forum has been working with Biso Afrika to bring the local community an opportunity to experience both Irish African culture in a one-of-a-kind Afro-Irish cultural night, which is free and open to everyone. The evening will include interactive workshops on music, dance and storytelling followed by an opportunity to enjoy performances by bands from both cultures including Banish Misfortune Ceilidh Band and brush dancing by Ciara Gill.

With such an extensive programme of events, this year’s St Patrick’s Festival promises to be the biggest spectacle ever put on by the Luton Irish Forum, which operates under charitable status. They provide the base for a broad portfolio of services aimed at improving the welfare of the Irish community, particularly, but not exclusively of Irish descent though improving welfare, advancing education, promoting social inclusion, celebrating culture and promoting health. For more information and tickers contact Luton Irish Forum on 01582 720 447, e-mail info@lutonirishforum.org or visit their website www.lutonirishforum.org